Offense: Sparty’s offense was better than average in the first half, and basically sputtered in the second. While the unit struggled on third down (1-7), both the run and pass game were effective. MSU amassed 257 yards of total offense in the first thirty minutes of play, 172 of which came through the air. QB Connor Cook (11-29, 234 YDS, TD, INT) missed a few open receivers and threw one of the worst interceptions I’ve seen in a while, attempting to evade pressure by dumping the ball to a back, which was promptly picked off by standout Nebraska DE Randy Gregory. Game conditions weren’t ideal, which I’m sure contributed to some Cook misfires, but there were also times when he tried to force the issue and others when he simply didn’t make a good decision. RB Jeremy Langford was a horse, carrying the ball 29 times for 111 yards, including a great 31-yard rushing score in the second quarter that put Sparty ahead, 14-0. WR Tony Lippett had a very good outing, catching 3 passes for 104 yards and a score, and also scoring on a 32-yard reverse play in the third quarter that extended the Spartans’ lead to 27-3. Langford lost a fumble in the second quarter, one of the three turnovers Sparty committed last night, but they still managed to pile up 422 yards of total offense and win the time of possession battle.

Defense: Both defenses actually got off to strong starts, forcing eight punts and picking off two passes in just the first quarter. Lippett’s 52-yard TD catch wasn’t quite the product of broken coverage, but it was also about the only defensive hiccup in the period. In spite of Sparty turning the ball over three times in its own territory, the defense more than answered the bell and prevented the Cornhuskers from putting any points on the board. On two occasions, Nebraska took over at Michigan State’s 30-, and 24-yard line. Still, nothing. Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah wasn’t able to accomplish much of anything all game along, finishing with 24 carries for a measly 45 yards, with a long of 9. Abdullah did, however, run for two touchdowns as Nebraska began to mount a rally in the second half. Huskers QB Taylor Armstrong, Jr. was under duress all night long and finished 20-43 for 273 yards and two picks. He was also sacked five times and hit eight. MSU LB Taiwan Jones was arguably the best defensive player for either side, picking up 10 tackles, 3 for loss, and a sack. DEs Shilique Calhoun and Marcus Rush each registered a sack, tackle for loss, and quarterback hit. Rush also forced a fumble, which Calhoun recovered and returned 38 yards. CB Trae Waynes picked off two passes, including one that sealed the win for MSU with 30 seconds left to play and Nebraska driving deep in MSU territory. S Kurtis Drummond finished the game with 9 tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup as part of a secondary that started very strong, but faded a bit late as they gave up a few big plays through the air to Nebraska, most notably Huskers WR Jordan Westerkamp, who finished with 9 catches for 158 yards.

Special Teams: K Michael Geiger connected on 2 of 3 field goals, missing a late 36-yard attempt that would have given MSU an 8-point lead. P Mike Sadler punted 9 times for a decent average of 38.4 yards per punt, but shanked a few and was victimized by a De’Mornay Pierson-El 62-yard punt return for score that made the score 27-22, in favor of Sparty. WR Macgarrett Kings, Jr. didn’t have much success in the return game, even losing a fumble in the second quarter.

What’s Next: Purdue, in West Lafayette. Purdue (2-3, 0-1 Big 10 West) lost at home to Iowa yesterday, 24-10. Boilermakers QB Danny Etling will attempt to lead his team to victory against Michigan St., with some hopeful help from RB Raheem Mostert. In addition, Purdue is a bad football team. A very, very, very bad football team. MSU should have absolutely no problems dispatching of Purdue and if they do, I’ll name my first-born “Michigan Wolverines.”